As part of its 2023 annual conference, the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, hosts its “Walk 4 Life”, walk and aerobic session fused with health talks and enlightenment to help members, their families, and associates to be more conscious of their health habits.


Despite the downfall, the walk 4 life which kicked off after a two hour indoor aerobic session, health talk and Dance session between with light music, and holding simultaneously in the following State Chapters of the Institute- Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, Ibadan and Benin.


The walk train numbering about one hundred clad in purple, red and white t-shirts and face-caps which lasted four kilometre commenced with a consistent live band, from ICSAN secretariat at Alausa CBD, to the edge of Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Lagos Assembly, Lagos Government and back to ICSAN secretariat.


According to ICSAN President/Chairman of Council, Funmi Ekundayo, who led the walk, the major reason for the event was to remind participants and the citizenry to engage in exercises to keep them healthy and mentally fit.


In her words, as professional it is very difficult to find time for exercise but they need to create time for bodies, saying it is not enough to work from Monday to Saturday or Sunday; one must find time to keep fit and shed off excess weight.


According to her, it will help one to be mentally fit and be in a position to cope with every day activities, commending everyone who came out in the rain, while urging them to cultivate the habit of exercising themselves and keeping fit as a lifestyle.


She describes ‘Walk 4 Life’ as an opportunity for members to unwind and have access to other information that will make a huge difference to us and everybody – “sound mind we do have, the sound body we also need so that when you say she is a professional, he is a professional both in activities and also the skills that she possesses”.


Ekundayo who is the first Female President said the walk would further help to sensitise the public about the Institute’s upcoming Annual Conference, scheduled for twenty-first and twenty-second September.


According to her, the Annual Conference which is the 47th of the institute is themed, ‘Sound governance as a cursor to a thriving economy: A case for inclusiveness’ in September.


Ekundayo said the Conference which will hold on the 21st of September, 2023, will be graced by Asue Ighodalo, Founding Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo (Chairman of the Conference), Prof. Enase Okonedo, Vice Chancellor Pan Atlantic University, Lagos (Keynote speaker) among other guests.


Speaking on the theme of the Conference: “Sound governance as a cursor to thriving economy: A case for inclusiveness”, Ekundayo said: “As citizens of this country we know how important sound governance gets and so it plays a key role in enhancing integrity and efficiency. Poor governance as we know weakens the country’s potential and can result in unethical and corrupt practices.


According to her, the overarching aim of the conference is to explore various approaches through open dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, even as it is hoped that meaningful solutions can be identified that will lead to sustainable economic growth and development for all members of society.


ICSAN Vice President and Chairman Annual Conference Planning Committee, Uta Ukpanah, said the exercise was to create health awareness among professionals and non-professionals.


Ukpanah said any event organised by the institute was an opportunity to bond and learn from other professionals.
According to her, as organisations, we should pay attention to our people’s health and society will be the better for it. Improved health will impact productivity positively.
She said as a professional institute, the members are extremely busy but opportunities like this help them to loosen up as ICSAN brings in other partners to add value to the event.
Ukpanah, said: “as we are all aware, governance is the mechanism, practices and procedures where government and its people manage their resources and also solve public problems.
In her words, as such, we know how important sound governance is and this plays a key role in enhancing integrity and efficiency while poor governance weakens a country’s potential and can open the way for unethical and corrupt practices.
“We as an institute are a society where governance is inclusive, it effectively serves everybody and that is the reason we are engaging all stakeholders including various facets of diversity both in public and private space to the conference.